James Brown ? The Hardest Working Man In Show Business Returns To The Stage
There are legends, there are icons and then there is James
Brown. Brown is every hyperbole balled into one combustible
being that exudes energy, style, soul and pure musical talent.
His fans know no age boundaries or nationality. He has been
performing live for decades, and he?s taking his act back to
the stage again in 2006. A look at his life will help explain
how James Brown became a true legend of music.
Early Life
James Joseph Brown, Jr. was born on May 3, 1933 in Barnwell,
South Carolina during the Great Depression. As one would
expect, life during this time period was difficult for Brown.
His childhood was spent in Barnwell and later in Augusta,
Georgia, and most of his time was spent picking cotton to help
feed his family.
Brown spent what little spare time he had doing two things:
practicing his music and committing petty thefts. At the age of
16, Brown was convicted of armed robbery and sent to a juvenile
detention center. His time in juvenile detention was not all
negative, however.
Brown was befriended by Bobby Byrd through the prison baseball
team, and his help resulted in Brown being released from
juvenile detention early. He served three years for his crime.
Brown?s release was conditioned on a few important factors.
First, he could never return to Augusta. Secondly, he had to
try to land and maintain gainful employment.
Brown was a gifted athlete, and that led to a brief stint as a
boxer. When that did not work out, Brown tried his hand, or
more accurately his arm, at a career as a professional baseball
pitcher. He injured his leg, however, and had to retire. These
failures led him to his ultimate career path ? music.
Career Beginnings
Brown began singing gospel music with Byrd?s sister and his
style soon transformed into a more classic rhythm and blues
singer, which led him to join Byrd?s band, the Avons. The band
soon changed their name to the Famous Flames, and the group
toured the south, otherwise called the ?Chitlin? Circuit.?
In 1956, Brown took over the direction of the Famous Flames,
and it wasn?t long until the band was noticed. The band signed
a record deal with King Records and released their first
single, Please, Please, Please, which climbed into the top ten
of the R&B charts. Their subsequent releases did not do nearly
as well, and this led to an ultimatum from King Records: Your
next single is a hit, or else.
In 1958, the band released the single Try Me, which climbed to
the top of the R&B charts and even made a small splash on the
overall US charts. It was at this point that many historians
believe that the legend of ?James Brown? was born.
Soon thereafter, Brown took on a greater role in the band in
regards to its marketing, and in 1962, Brown gave a legendary
performance at the Apollo Theater. This performance was
recorded, and since Brown had covered the expenses himself, he
was credited with all the accolades that came with such a
stirring show. James Brown was now a star.
Legendary Success
On a roll, Brown released 52 singles that climbed into the top
ten of the R&B charts over the next several decades. His albums
sold millions of copies, and his true legend was a result of his
scintillating stage performances. Brown was known to dance and
perform with such vigor that by the end of the show he was
physically and emotionally exhausted, as were his audiences.
Brown was constantly sweating profusely and gasping for breath
towards the end of his sets, which is how he earned the
nickname the ?Hardest Working Man in Show Business.?
Struggles
Brown also had more than his share of difficult times. He had
several brushes with the law, including several drug-related
offenses and assaults with deadly weapons. One of the victims
was his wife. Before being sentenced to a prison term of six
years in 1988, Brown had led police on a harrying car chase
that only exacerbated his circumstances.
Ultimately, Brown was released into a reintegration center
after serving only 15 months of his term for good behavior, and
he proceeded to record several public service announcements. He
was completely released from his term in 1991, and has been
trouble-free ever since.
Simply put, seeing James Brown live is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. His life is incorporated into every aspect of his
performance, and his shows are a true celebration of music.
About The Author: By Jay Nault sponsored by
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